After all, Sephirena had lived in the Lisat Kingdom for a period of time, and what Liana had said back then was widely spread, so she naturally knew about the relationship between Her Highness Liana and Oester.

“Oester will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. I’m worried your Sister Nimeris will be influenced by him and do something irrational.” Liana didn’t point out Nimeris’ problem directly.

“Sister Nimeris wouldn’t do that. She’s an elf who rather dislikes humans. She was even quite opposed to the matter of allying with humans,” Sephirena explained.

Liana thought for a moment. In Sephirena’s eyes, Nimeris seemed to have no issues at all; she could even be called a good older sister.

Liana wouldn’t do something pointless as exposing Nimeris that would make Sephirena dislike her and make Nimeris wary ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) of her, showing her hands too early.

“Is that so? You came back this time to find the truth behind Princess Tarashil’s death, right? Have you made any new discoveries?” Liana asked.

Sephirena shook her head helplessly. Too much time had passed; any clues had long since been destroyed.

The only thing that was clear now was that Sister Tarashil’s death was most likely related to the demon race.

And now, the Tree of Life was also being corroded by demonkind. The truth behind all this could perhaps only be known after the demons were dealt with.

“I see.” Liana didn’t think Sephirena would be able to find it, nor did she think she could help her find the truth.

After all, as long as Nimeris didn’t bring it up herself, she would not be exposed. The matter was completely in her own hands.

In the original story, it was only at the very end, when Nimeris joined the demon race and admitted it herself, that she was exposed.

“The matter of the holy sword, have you investigated it?” She changed the subject.

But this topic startled Mephilia. Mephilia, who had been lying on Liana’s lap and declaring her sovereignty, suddenly sat up. “The holy sword? Liana, you found the holy sword?”

“...” Liana watched Mephilia sit up so easily and was reminded of the time she had lain on Loraviel’s lap, and that sky-obscuring massive object.

Couldn’t you have, you know, slowed down a bit! Why is it that when I lie on someone else’s lap, I can’t get up this easily!

“I wouldn’t say I found it.” Of course, Liana only complained a little in her heart; there were still very important matters to attend to.

Liana recounted what had happened in Sephirena’s illusion.

“What’s wrong?” Liana was suddenly embraced by Mephilia.

“Then, according to what you’re saying, Liana, Princess Sephirena is the next wielder of the holy sword?” Mephilia asked.

This was indeed a good thing, but for some reason, Mephilia felt inexplicably displeased.

It wasn’t that she was jealous of Sephirena for being the wielder of the holy sword. Finding the wielder was a good thing for the entire world. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Mephilia was just worried that Sephirena would use this status to do something undesirable.

Liana’s head felt Mephilia’s softness. “I suppose so. After all, in the illusion, Sephirena used the holy sword to repel the demon race.”

“In the illusion?”

“...” Oops...

Liana knew she had misspoken. Sure enough, in the next second, Mephilia pinched Liana’s cheek. “Liana, and then what happened?”

“...” Liana looked at Mephilia’s somewhat gloomy face and could clearly sense that she was now truly angry.

But even so, Mephilia wouldn’t embarrass Liana in front of outsiders, which was why she resorted to forcefully pinching her plump cheek as a small act of revenge.

As for what would happen to Liana after they got back, Mephilia couldn’t make any guarantees.

However, just at this moment, Sephirena spoke up. “I had seen the holy sword in my illusion long ago, but at that time, I couldn’t use it, or even get near it. When I approached the holy sword, it would move away from me.”

“I also searched for the place where the holy sword appeared within the real Elf Forest, but forget the sword, I couldn’t even see the path. Perhaps the key to finding the holy sword is not me, but Her Highness Liana.”

“Really?” Sephirena’s words made Mephilia’s somewhat angry face relax a little.

If Liana was really the wielder of the holy sword, then her strength would surely be enhanced, and she would be able to protect herself well.

“It doesn’t have much to do with me. My mana reserves are too small to supply the holy sword. In my hands, it’s no different from a wooden stick,” Liana said.

“But what is undeniable is that Your Highness Liana is the first living being in the last hundred, or even thousand years, to have touched the holy sword.” This matter was very serious.

“...Alright.” It seemed Liana had no choice but to accept this now.

Liana really disliked this feeling of being expected to do something, of being the center of attention. But now, it seemed she had no choice but to face it.

However, Liana still held a glimmer of hope. Although the protagonist of the original story had disappeared, Sephirena had also picked up the holy sword and displayed its power. There was still a chance.

“Speaking after retreating ten thousand steps,1退一万步讲 (tuì yī wàn bù jiǎng), an idiom meaning “hypothetically” or “even if we assume the worst.” let’s say that I really am the legendary wielder of the holy sword. But Sephirena, you’ve also used the holy sword, haven’t you? And the holy sword only appeared in your illusion. This proves that you also have the right to use it,” Liana said.

Sephirena did not deny this. “But what if it’s because Your Highness Liana gave it to me that I was able to use it? Perhaps I was only able to use it because I had the permission of the holy sword’s wielder?”

“If it were that simple, fighting the demons wouldn’t be so difficult, would it? The wielder of the holy sword could just hide in the back, but the person permitted to use it would have much more to consider: how to slay the demons, and how to bring the holy sword back, right?” Liana said.

“...” Her Highness Liana had a point. Not just anyone could use the holy sword.

“Or are you trying to escape this matter?”

“...Of course not.” After all, Sephirena had been outdone in maid duties by Loraviel before; she didn’t want to be looked down upon by Liana in this regard as well.

“Of course, I’m not trying to shirk responsibility either. I just think that your strength is much greater than mine, and your understanding of magic is more thorough than mine. Your mana storage and recovery speed are beyond what I can compare to. If possible, you are definitely more suited to use the holy sword,” Liana said very seriously.

Sephirena nodded. “If there is a need for me, Your Highness Liana, just give the order. After all, the time is not yet up, is it? There are still six hundred and eighty-one days. Before then, I will obey all of Your Highness Liana’s commands.”

“...Ow.” Liana felt a pinch on her waist.

But right now, she could only endure it. “I won’t force you.”

“This is my own will. I must protect my Mother... and my sisters.” Sephirena wouldn’t say things like protecting the world. She wasn’t that kind, nor did she have that much power. It was enough to do what she could to the best of her ability, to have a clear conscience.2问心无愧 (wènxīnwúkuì), a common idiom meaning to have no sins or nothing to be ashamed of.

“Oh?” Sephirena’s words made Liana see her in a new light. “Not bad. Is this the same Sephirena who used to have a dead look on her face?”

“I apologize for leaving a bad impression on you at that time, Your Highness Liana,” Sephirena said.

Liana shrugged. “It wasn’t that bad of an impression. After all, I’m a weirdo myself, so I’m used to this kind of thing.”

Liana patted Sephirena’s soft hair. “Now, shall we go and see the place where the holy sword appeared? What if we find something new?”

“I know.” Sephirena reached out, wiped away the tear at the corner of Liana’s eye, and then whispered in her ear, “Liana, your endurance is really strong. I’m starting to look forward to your promised day.”

Liana had just had her tongue bitten, and it had even bled. She had been enduring the pain in her tongue the entire time she was talking.

“Shall we go? Let’s go and have a look. What if we can find the holy sword?” Mephilia said. “Princess Sephirena, we’ll be troubling you to take us there.”